(PARK)ing Day turns Downtown parking spaces into temporary recreation places

By Lauren Keene, OnMilwaukee Intern Published Sep 14, 2017 at 5:01 PM

Every third Friday in September, cities all over the world participate in PARK(ing) Day, inviting artists, citizens and businesses to collaborate and temporarily transform metered parking spaces into public places encouraging creativity, socializing and activity.

Tomorrow, many Milwaukee establishments will be joining in on the fun, as 12 Downtown metered parking spots will become recreational areas for one day only.

According to (PARK)ing Day's website, "The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated and to improve the quality of urban human habitat." The event began in 2005 when San Francisco design studio Rebar converted a metered parking space into a temporary public park.

Each space participating tomorrow in Milwaukee will host its own day-long activities accompanied by live music performances from noon until 1 p.m. And we have your guide for a memorable Friday lunch break.

The CityCenter at 735

Located at 735 N. Water St., the CityCenter (ahem, OnMilwaukee's humble abode) will be hosting a bean bag tournament right outside the building on Water Street.

Entertainment: Roxie Beane will perform her brand of acoustic funk rock.

City.Net Café

Milwaukee’s only jazz-themed coffee shop – found at 306 E. Wisconsin Ave. – will offer expanded seating outside. Espresso will be available for purchase for those in need of a quick caffeine buzz.

Entertainment: Jazz pianist Jerry Wietzer will tickle the ivories outside the café.

Classy Girl Cupcakes

Classy Girl Cupcakes will host a pop-up "wedding experience" complete with delicious cupcake samples at 825 N. Jefferson St.

Entertainment: Ian Gould performs his acoustic Irish folk music.

Kahler Slater & AIAS UW-Milwaukee

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? Well, you’re in luck. Architecture firm Kahler Slater, 214 W. Wisconsin Ave., will have a historic photo booth transporting viewers back to 1946 to attend the world premiere of "Two Guys From Milwaukee" at the Grand Warner Theater. While waiting in line, visitors can enjoy a virtual reality tour of the theater’s current interior.

Entertainment: Sweet Sheiks will play Dixieland and jazz music for visiting time travelers.

Meat on the Street

Meat on the Street will have giant Connect Four and seating available at 5th Street and Wisconsin Avenue for meat eaters on their lunch break.

Entertainment: Acoustic singer/songwriter Derek Sallmann performs next to the famed food truck.

Milwaukee Central Library

The library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., will have a reading room designed by Quorum Architects, coffee from Craft Culture and a pop-up shop curated by Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library.

Entertainment: From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., enjoy a spoken word performance called "A View of Central Library from the Street: Fun Facts" by MPL area manager Dawn Lauber. Destinny Fletcher will also read her poetry.

Postman Square

Brunch will serve coffee and outdoor seating will be available. Westown Association will have giant Connect Four, Yahtzee and various other outdoor games at the little park, 811 N. Plankinton Ave.

Entertainment: Ethan Keller will rock out on the acoustic guitar during lunch.

Newaukee

NEWaukee will have an outdoor bowling alley at Old World 3rd Street and Wisconsin Avenue, along with coffee from Pilcrow Coffee. For the less active, outdoor lounge seating will also be available.

Entertainment: Rapper Wes Tank will bust some rhymes. Strike!